A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. | Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. | As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. |
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A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. |
Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. | Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. |
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. | He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. |
A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. | True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. | Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. |
A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. | An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. |
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. | Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! |
The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. | The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. |
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. | I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. |
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. | Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. |
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. | The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. |
By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. | Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. | Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. |
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. | The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. |
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |